Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate in
Computing the Face Syntax of Social Communication
Dr. Rachael Jack is delighted to announce the opening of a 3-year ERC-funded postdoctoral
researcher position on the project Computing the Face Syntax of Social Communication at
the Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology and School of Psychology at the University
of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
The Project. This ambitious project aims to mathematically model the human face as an
algebraic generator of dynamic social signals and build a psychologically and culturally
valid generative model of social face signalling that is transferrable to social robots.
The project will use a multidisciplinary approach that combines social and cultural
psychology with dynamic 3D structural face computer graphics, vision science
psychophysical methods, and mathematical psychology. Given that project involves
interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, the ideal candidate would have experience of both
computational (e.g., programming) and social psychology, for example via a joint degree or
research experience/interests.
Research Environment. The successful applicant will experience a unique and intellectually
stimulating research environment within the Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology,
undertake a specific programme of specialist research skill development, and contribute to
progressing an internationally competitive and strategic research agenda. The applicant
will have access to (1) a unique, state-of-the-art 4D structural face imaging technology
and dynamic face movement generator; (2) specialist in-house training on advanced
quantitative methods and statistical analyses (e.g., 4D image processing, model fitting);
(3) postdoctoral communities; (4) a dedicated full-time Research Technologist specializing
in 3D and 4D computer graphics; (5) a dedicated full-time computing support team who
provide data storage (>5 Petabytes), high-security data management systems,
high-performance equipment and software; (6) a secure on online Subject Pool (7,000+
members, 106 nationalities); (7) international collaborators; and (8) a full suite of
brain imaging facilities including 7T fMRI, MEG, EEG, and TMS.
The Team
Primary Investigator: Dr. Rachael E. Jack
http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/psychology/staff/rachaeljack/
The successful applicant will join an internationally renowned, high performance
interdisciplinary research team and receive regular, close mentorship and collegial
interaction from PI Jack and other lab members via lab meetings. The successful applicant
will develop and apply state-of-the-art specialist skills and knowledge of social face
perception and face signalling including 3D & 4D face capture and generation, advanced
MATLAB programming, lab testing booth preparation, high volume data collection,
mathematically modelling 3D dynamic face signals, analyzing high-dimensional data,
scientific writing, and producing high-quality data visualizations for presentations and
high-profile publications. The successful applicant will also have the opportunity to
present at national and international academic conferences, participate in public
engagement activities, and submit their work to high-impact and specialist peer reviewed
academic journals. Successful applications may also have the opportunity to work with
other interested parties (e.g., social robotics designers).
Affiliate labs. The Jack lab regularly interacts with and has joint lab meetings with the
following labs:
Prof. Stacy Marsella
https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/neurosciencepsychology/staff/stacy…
Prof. Philippe G. Schyns
http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/neurosciencepsychology/staff/philip…
Start date: May 2020 (negotiable)
Closing date: 20th February 2020
Reference number: 032999
Apply here:
https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BYD853/research-assistant-associate